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My Next Read: “60 Songs That Explain the ’90s” by Rob Harvilla
A companion to the #1 music podcast on Spotify, this book takes readers through the greatest hits that define a weirdly undefinable decade.
The 1990s were a chaotic and gritty and utterly magical time for music, a confounding barrage of genres and lifestyles and superstars, from grunge to hip-hop, from sumptuous R&B to rambunctious ska-punk, from Axl to Kurt to Missy to Santana to Tupac to Britney. In 60 SONGS THAT EXPLAIN THE ’90s, Ringer music critic Rob Harvilla reimagines all the earwormy, iconic hits Gen Xers pine for with vivid historical storytelling, sharp critical analysis, rampant loopiness, and wryly personal ruminations on the most bizarre, joyous, and inescapable songs from a decade we both regret entirely and miss desperately.
MDMP’s ‘Stranger Things’ Featuring Failure’s Kellii Scott and Profiler’s Mike Evans Delves into the Dark and Complicated Realities of Finding Your Place
When you can’t find your place, all surroundings are strangers.
It’s a dark, complicated world that comes with no manual. It’s a feeling that Hawaii-based MDMP founder and frontman Jeremey Meyer knows personally, and it was the motivation behind the band’s latest single, “Stranger Things.”
“This song is dedicated to everybody who feels they somehow don’t belong in this messed-up world,” Meyer explained. “I myself am a bastard child who tries to make the most of what has been given to me.”
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEyEbuONOtWcMXru-CR4b4Q
That spirit is at the essence of MDMP, a one-man band with an endless list of members. Collaboration is the purpose of its existence, and it’s how all of its music has been made.
“Living on a small island has forced me to change mindsets from the traditional band model to realize there are no rules to making good music,” Meyer said. “During the songwriting process, I might have a particular type of sound in mind or even want to expand on a song I heard in the past. It comes to me usually sooner than later that a specific artist or artists would sound awesome on the track, which leads to ‘the ask,’ and if they say ‘yes,’ a new song is born.”
Meyer initially wrote “Stranger Things” for Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters to sing, but he realized it would be impossible to get in touch with the artist. Instead, Meyer played the demo for Matteo Depares, a British producer friend, who begged him to sing and release it himself.
Enter Los Angeles-based drummer Kellii Scott of alternative rock band Failure and Bristol, U.K.-based guitarist Mike Evans of metal band Profiler. Their features helped complete the track, with Meyer holding up his end of the bargain on the mic.
“Stranger things in the night
(Yes we all want to be loved)
Don’t be afraid
There’s something that I need you to know
You’re not alone
Alone.”
It’s a unique process to reach the final product of a complete song, but it’s one that MDMP employs in the music it makes. From Kazakhstan to Taiwan and much more, MDMP has made music with artists far and wide.
“It’s all about collaboration for me,” Meyer explained. “I’m an organizer – an orchestrator of the process. I don’t want it to be all me. I’m a team player. I love anybody who gives me advice or ideas, good or bad. When it comes to music, I don’t know a lot of people who are trying to do a collaborative thing on this level.”
MDMP has been in operation since Meyer moved to Hawaii in the late 2010s. The multi-tasker in chief is originally from Nebraska, where he spent the ‘90s singing about Edgar Allen Poe in English class, playing in the marching band, and soaking up everything from grunge to Metallica to his greatest influence, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
Meyer served a few years in the military along with a year in Iraq, then got back into music upon his return stateside. As the bassist in hard rock heroes Sherry Drive, he released two albums and shared stages with the likes of Skid Row and Sick Puppies. All of those experiences, good and bad, now feed into MDMP, Meyer said.
“Some artists are determined to be the same and never change, and they’re going to go down with that ship,” he explained. “I don’t want to do that.”
MDMP released only singles in its first few years, but in 2021, it put out a behemoth of a debut album, “Day One.” Its 27 tracks spanned the sonic and stylistic spectrum, demonstrating the band’s willingness to experiment and collaborate with all sorts of musicians and their backgrounds. MDMP has continued to deliver music since, discovering new sounds and friends with each step.
It’s important to Meyer to think of his musical endeavors as such. In his band’s most-recent work, “Stranger Things,” he extends a hand to those who need companionship and a reassurance of their value. Collaborations don’t have to be official or direct – every day, humans make the wheel spin in conjunction with 8 billion in-name-only strangers.
“I want them to know that there are many of us that feel the same way,” Meyer said. “I love making music, so I hope we can find and have comfort in knowing each other.”
MDMP’s music has already reached hundreds of thousands of people, but there’s still plenty more to go.
“As more people hear MDMP, the hope is to grow the list of contributors with the dream of someday landing a collaborative song on the Billboard charts,” Meyer said. “Maybe this is the one?”
Don’t bet against him. Stranger things have happened.
Les Moontunes Introduce Interstellar Concept Album With Trippy, ’70s Metal-Inspired Single “Elephant Wizard”
Things can get weird in isolation, and then add unemployment to the mix and you’ve got yourself a recipe for some wild, psychedelic trippy-ness. Such were the conditions leading to Les Moontunes’ dark, strutting, and stunning new single “Elephant Wizard” – available now – off their forthcoming concept album of the same name.
During the thick of isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic, Les Moontunes’ frontman Miguel Dumaine had been laid off from work and his days began bleeding into one another, forming one long, blurry stretch unto nothingness. So he dug deep into his imagination and created a fictional character he christened the Elephant Wizard.
But the Elephant Wizard’s story really began to take shape once the band did a residency in Sussex, New Brunswick. By spending time among the inspirational hills and rivers of rural NB, the band members’ imaginations flourished and the story of the mythical creature trumpeted to life. With their fuzz pedal-tinged single “Elephant Wizard” serving as a sneak peek, we soon discover that the Elephant Wizard is a badass mofo who’s about to stomp into the future to fight off evil and find a better life for himself on Planet Metal.
In the early creation days of Les Moontunes, the band regularly played together in a dark basement, illuminated solely by a cheap plastic mini-disco ball. The light dappled the room with psychedelic revolving colors that created a special atmosphere and inspired their unique style of music. Some of this inspiration is reflected in the atmospheric, ’70s-style lyric video for “Elephant Wizard.”
As for the album itself, Elephant Wizard is a slight change in direction from Les Moontunes’ self-titled debut. Having been influenced by heavier music throughout their lives, the band aimed to paint the Elephant Wizard’s story with heavy, hard hitting tones that paid homage to the sounds of some of their favorite bands of the ’60s and ’70s, while also infusing the record with the modern jazz/soul aesthetic they’ve displayed in their previous work.
This sophomore album also features the band’s two drummers, which since 2019 have been a driving force behind Les Moontunes’ unique sound. The rhythm section (drums, keys, and bass) were recorded live off the floor, which played a major role in the album’s more natural feel.
Producer Mike Trask’s use of analog tape for recording aligned with the tones the band were seeking for this record. In contrast to their debut album, where all the music was written prior to going into the studio, Elephant Wizard contains many sections that were written during the recording process, which adds an element of spontaneity that can be heard in the music.
Winners of the 2021 Music NB awards for both ‘Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ and ‘Video of the Year ‘for their single “Paper Boat”, the seven-piece Les Moontunes released their self-titled debut album in 2021, solidifying their place as rising stars in the Canadian music scene.
All seven members of Les Moontunes are Acadians. Acadians are known for their kitchen parties and musical storytelling, and Les Moontunes’ work has mostly been created from long nights jamming and improvising together. They are part of a group of artists from the East Coast that’s reinventing what an Acadian band sounds like, sharing their culture with the world through their electrifying art. Fans of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and metal will be captivated by this band of groovy cosmonauts, who blend catchy grooves with ambient interstellar jams.
Run The River Unleashes a Timeless Rock & Roll Anthem with ‘Punch The Dark’
Get ready to groove with another timeless rock & roll track brought to life by Run The River, featuring Joel Manchester on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Chris Furlotte on drums, Rick Couture on bass with fantastic backup vocals, Ed Legge on lead guitar and excellent backup vocals, and Ross Kinney on keys.
Out now, ‘Punch The Dark’ stands as an anthem for bad days. The track commences with a dramatic opening driven by piano and guitars, giving you that span of a second to wonder what the next instrumental twist will be – exactly where the cheerful melody with classic rock & roll elements gets all your attention.
With a chorus that screams “No, I’m not giving up this time”, ‘Punch The Dark’ is close to the heart for frontman Joel Manchester. “It is an anthem for bad days, difficult experiences, and insurmountable odds when you just need to sing out that things aren’t over yet”, explains the singer and songwriter.
Joel penned this song as a response to his own struggles with mental health, specifically battling through periods of depression and the weight of negative thoughts. He aimed to create a chorus that could serve as a remedy for those poisonous, pessimistic mindsets. The song’s theme contrasts with its overall feel—upbeat, positive, and bright.
‘Sometimes I can feel the earth spin
It’s like I’m barely holding on
I’m heading off into some kind of chaos
Any plans I had are dead and gone
It might be my last time around
But I’m not giving up without a fight
Sometimes you gotta show em what your made of
Punch the dark until you see the light’
It’s crafted in an energetic pop-rock style, featuring powerful guitar work and a determined, rhythmic heartbeat that underscores the message of resilience – a Run The River formula. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of musical influences, their sources of inspiration span the enduring legacy of Canadian rock icons The Tragically Hip, the timeless rock of Queen and The Beatles, and the rebellious spirit of 90s pop punk exemplified by bands like Blink 182 and Green Day.
Never shying away from experimenting with genres and letting that influence shine through, the band confesses to being obsessed with the writing process and rarely gets together without several new tunes in the works.
Frontman Joel Manchester infuses his music with raw emotion, believing it to be not only a form of expression but a tool for survival. He focuses on crafting simple yet powerful melodies that resonate instantly with listeners, complemented by the dynamic sounds of his bandmates. Drummer Chris Furlotte provides a steady rhythmic backbone, while Rick Couture’s masterful bass lines complete the solid foundation. Ed Legge adds a burst of colour and flavour with his lead guitar wizardry, and Ross Kinney’s expressive keys serve as the enchanting musical cherry on top.
Emphasizing contagious melodies, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and commanding vocal prowess, Run The River emerges as a dynamic force in the realm of Canadian rock bands. Their essence is rooted in a profound passion for sharing music and a collective desire to harmonize through the beautiful journey of life by pouring their hearts into their songs.
Inuit Artists Kendra Tagoona & Tracy Sarazin Celebrate International Inuit Day With Sultans of String Collaboration
Sultans Of String have shared this new video as an opportunity to celebrate the richness and resilience of diverse Inuit cultures. Tracy Sarazin and Kendra Tagoona have been performing Inuit throat singing for over twenty years, a tradition practiced by Inuit women as a game and a friendly competition.
Throat singing mimics sounds from the Arctic environment, such as the river and the wind. It starts with one person making a sound, and then the next person repeats this sound immediately after. The leader switches the sound and the rhythm in an attempt to make the follower make a mistake.
Tracy and Kendra enjoy sharing the beauty of Inuit culture with national and international audiences. Friends taught them how to throat sing when they were in their early 20s. They wanted to learn to help revitalize this practice, which was almost lost due to colonization practices. Now, they perform to promote reconciliation and share Inuit culture. “We are happy to work with others and share our culture, and also face the hard truths of what happened in the past and move forward” says Tracy Sarazin, originally from Pangnirtung, Nunavut.
“It is very important to collaborate and work together – Indigenous people deserve to fit in in any part of Canadian culture” Tracy continues “Throat singing is a very important part of Inuit culture, that was almost lost during colonization. I’ve been told by my family members that they were not allowed to practice drumming or throat singing. The church and the government tried to take control of Inuit lives and one of the ways to do that was to ban certain things from our culture.”
Sultans violinist Chris McKhool, who was recently awarded the Dr. Duke Redbird Lifetime Achievement Award by Redbird and JAYU Arts for Human Rights for working to amplify these truths through collaborations, says, “This country has a history that has been ignored, distorted, twisted to suit colonialist goals of destroying a people. We are so fortunate for the opportunity to work with Indigenous artists, sharing their stories, their experiences, and their lives with us, so we can continue our work of learning about the history of residential schools, genocide, and intergenerational impacts of colonization. Music has a special capacity for healing, connecting, and expressing truth.”
Sultans of String is a fiercely independent band that has always tried to lift up those around them and has exposed many of their collaborators and special guests to new audiences at their shows, including at JUNOfest, NYC’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club, Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, and London’s Trafalgar Square. Led by Queen’s Diamond Jubilee recipient McKhool, they have collaborated with orchestras across North America and have played live on CBC’s Canada Live, BBC TV, Irish National Radio, and SiriusXM in Washington. They have recorded and performed with such diverse luminaries as Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Richard Bona, Alex Cuba, Ruben Blades, Benoit Bourque, and Béla Fleck.
Their work during the pandemic on The Refuge Project amplified the voices of new immigrants and refugees, earning them CFMAs and Best Musical Film at the Cannes World Film Festival.
Thanks to non-indigenous funding streams of Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada and Ontario Arts Council – Conseil des arts de l’Ontario for their support.
The Alter Kakers Take Us on a Rollercoaster Ride through Fine Art on “The Great Upheaval”
With its loose, careening, ’70s rock ‘n’ roll style, you would hardly expect Toronto indie rockers The Alter Kakers’ fun-loving new single “The Great Upheaval” to be about something as highfalutin as fine art, but indeed it is.
Inspired by The Great Upheaval art exhibit at the AGO in Toronto, the song is told from the perspective of painter Marc Chagall in the first verse (“I made my name as a painter; I helped create a new style, and we changed the landscape for a while”); and then Picasso in the second verse: “I’ll put your ass on a canvas, cut you into cubes; they’ll know your name but never recognize you.”
The exhibit included works spanning from 1910 to 1918 by artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky, Matisse, Mondrian, and many other masters, and it highlighted new styles such as expressionism, futurism, and cubism. “It was about leaving realism behind and exploring where art could be more abstract, leading to new creative styles,” explains guitarist/vocalist Steve Bronstein.
Bronstein’s mother often used to take him to art galleries when he was growing up, and he always felt a particularly strong connection to Chagall because of their shared Jewish heritage. “I always liked his paintings that recount his growing up in Belarus in a Jewish shtetl, which would have been similar to my own grandparents who emigrated from Ukraine in the 1900s,” Bronstein said.
Other topics the song contemplates are the fame of real-life people like the Mona Lisa or Dora Maar, who Picasso painted; as well as life in Paris in the 1900s — “I like to walk down by the banks of the Seine; we’ll drink some wine and come back home again.”
“Pretty heady stuff,” Bronstein admits, “But we countered that by turning ‘The Great Upheaval’ into a straight rock song, including a cowbell intro/outro, handclaps, and a 70’s-inspired guitar solo.”
In fact, for the guitar solo producer Dean Mario suggested a Big Muff fuzz pedal for a raunchy, distorted sound. “At first I resisted, but now I really love the result – it jumps out,” Bronstein conceded.’
The Alter Kakers are an indie rock band from Toronto with Steve Bronstein on guitar and vocals, Cary Corvair on bass and vocals, and Dan Barsi on drums. They formed after meeting in another local band called The Dropjoys and noticing they had a shared sense of music and humour.
And just what the hell is an Alter Kaker? It’s a Yiddish term for “old fart.” Is this a group of Alter Kakers? Probably, but think of it this way: to become an Alter Kaker, you need to have the will to never give up or stop trying, and that’s what this band has.
Wet Future Drops Captivating New Single ‘Mona Lisa’ – A Journey Through Romance and Obsession in Pop-Rock Harmony
Vancouver Island-based band Wet Future unveils their latest heartfelt single, “Mona Lisa,” via Elbowroom Recording.
With sweeping vocals and euphoric nods to pop-rock, “Mona Lisa” acts as an exciting statement in the band’s ever-evolving discography. “If I could have dreams / I’d see those eyes” Sean Lyons sings over towering guitar chords and drum washes. “It’s loosely about this story of Vincenzo Peruggiain, a guy who stole the actual Mona Lisa” Lyons says on the inspiration behind the song. “He became so possessed with the painting that he stole it, and the song became about tapping into the things we become obsessed over.” Fluctuating between romantic confusion and historical anecdotes, “Mona Lisa” bridges modern rock with the tonality of 80s pop-rock.
Continuing to innovate new-found forms of Canadian rock, stay tuned for more to come as Wet Future gears up for a variety of upcoming releases.
Stemming from alternating bands, musical spaces, and the search for a solidified musical craft in the process, the members of Wet Future can all agree that music is the grounding point in their lives despite the shifting internal dynamics it often creates. “I couldn’t stop tapping things when I was a kid,” Miles McLaren admits in his introduction to crafting music. Being forcefully enrolled into drumming lessons by his parents in grade three, his initial urge to not sit still soon became a grounding point for him as he progressed into musical drive. “After a year of drums, I went to bass guitar, and after a year of bass, I went into piano. Music became a strong presence in my life.”
Growing up across scattered parts of Vancouver Island, each band member found musical interactions both a grounding point and a source of excitement within their humdrum environments. “I used to get into a lot of trouble,” Sean Lyons says when reflecting on his adolescent years. “I used to get kicked out of school, I even got expelled, but I found I always excelled within any on-stage environment… I became infatuated with the Beach Boys and The Beatles when I moved to Vancouver after high school. My roommate at the time had introduced me to their music, and from there, I began writing my first songs.” With Sean and Lucas Bosma growing up in Port Alberni, their eventual transitions into larger cities like Victoria and Vancouver gave them a refreshing space to delve into crafting new music.
“Some days I would busk underneath a bridge in Coquitlam until three in the morning because it had such great reverb,” Sean states on his initial move to Vancouver. Brett Attig, who has been playing for a variety of bands consistently since the age of 22 admits that his musical ambitions were also met with financial realities. “I went to this concert when I was in grade 11, and it was so exhilarating experiencing live music. I ran home and told my parents, and they said I should get a job so I could purchase a drum set. I got a job at McDonald’s, bought my first drum set and fell in love with playing.”
Driven with musical ambition, continuously shifting bands, and a thirst for live music, the four members of Wet Future, Sean Lyons, Miles McLaren, Lucas Bosma, and Brett Attig, share a common love for making music. In the height of the pandemic, Sean Lyons and Lucas Bosma started recording the band’s debut album Under the Weather between their home studios. “We began to take the music more seriously at that point” Lucas states, “we often worked virtually, Brett would send back our demo with an added layer on top.” With the introduction of Miles McLaren into the group, the band solidified a new direction to their sound, which can be heard in their upcoming release, “Mona Lisa,” out this November.
Finding music both a passion and grounding point in their individual lives, Wet Future is driven to push new boundaries in Canadian music upon releasing their upcoming single “Mona Lisa”. Stay tuned for more as Wet Future continues to develop new exciting musical progressions.
Toronto Rock Band Eclecticus Unleashes Collaborative Masterpiece ‘Double Take’ Featuring “Goin’ Far Away” Single
Toronto rock band Eclecticus has released their latest album Double Take, an impressive nine-track LP that comes after six other explosive releases.
Double Take comes as a collaborative masterpiece between the now five-piece band. After the pandemic, singer-songwriters, musicians, and life partners, Gar Reid and Tiina LeMay, went on a mission to find additional members to add to their then-duo.
Now fully rounded with electric guitarist Brian Benwell, drummer Jono Rose, and bassist Darrell Goodman, the band has put together an album that reflects their individual styles while still capturing Eclecticus’ beloved dynamic rock sound and big melodic vocals.
Throughout the entirety of the rock-charged album, strong and skilled vocals front the tracks, complimented by commanding drums and impressive guitar riffs throughout. Double Take doesn’t skip a beat with constant explosive and electric energy at the heart of the release.
“The album, we think, flows incredibly well from front to back. Each song is different from the next, and is a great reflection of our writing style,” says Tiina LeMay.
In true team fashion, Reid and LeMay felt it was important for every member to feel ownership in the development of the tracks. So, the band recreated some earlier versions of the songs while also adding new soulful rock tracks to the album. One of the recreated versions is the lead single “Goin’ Far Away.”
The anthem captures the lively and dynamic essence of Double Take. “Goin’ Far Away” weaves in and out of slower grooves with melodic vocals and sudden bursts of head-banging rhythms and outstanding rock guitar features. It’s the type of song that’ll get you up and dancing in a sweat with your pals.
The band is no stranger to musical success. With years in the industry, Eclecticus has seen its fair share of fandom, successful releases, and exciting performances. Of their many achievements, the band was nominated as a finalist for the CIMVA Best Rock Video in 2022 for their lead single “Got Me Going” and their track “Took Me for Granted” made it in the Cashbox Canada Top 50 Pick in 2021.
Now, Double Take comes as yet another stellar rock release. Written and produced by Gar Reid and Tiina LeMay, engineered and mixed by Gar Reid, and mastered by both Gar Reid and Noah Mintz, this record is a collaborative masterpiece.
Blending their talents, Eclecticus delivers a lively release that spans all genres of rock, out now for you to enjoy.
Redhead Mack Band’s “Pick It Up” Reveals the Complex Balance of Doing What You Love for a Living
Some people say think if you do what you love for a living, your job is easy to do. However, this isn’t as cut and dry as it seems. No one understands this more than Calgary, AB-rockers Redhead Mack Band in their new single “Pick It Up,” the first single from their new album You Know That You Want To.
The song opens with steady riffs from lead guitarist Lee Carlson and backup vocalist and bassist Jared Wiebe. Then songwriter and vocalist Kevin Phillips comes in with the first two verses, which discuss picking up something new and then learning to enjoy it. However, the chorus that follows shows how a personal passion can dominate your life once you start trying to make a living from it.
“Always playing catch-up on the people up ahead
Always playing mentor to those behind
Trying hard to keep momentum each and every day
It takes over everything but you don’t mind”
The next verses continue with the unsettled undertone the chorus brought in as backup vocals from Jared Wiebe joins Phillips. They both sing of how a personal passion consumes you until it becomes your identity. Both of them are supported by drummer Ian Fraser Love and a sweet guitar solo from Carlson.
Despite the song’s somewhat bleak lyrics, It mostly came from a place of joy. Inspired by Phillips’ new love of the electric guitar, the song is about finding your “thing”, whatever that may be. He states, “If you find something that makes you happy; that allows you to express yourself; that makes you feel more like you… that’s what this song is about!”
Redhead Mack Band is a Calgary rock band that sprung out of the earth after the Covid pandemic buried musicians in lockdown. Previously folky Redhead Mack singer Kevin Phillips picked up the electric guitar, and, joined by guitarist Lee Carlson; bass player, Jared Wiebe; and drummer, Ian Fraser Love, they started making beautiful noise together, and liked what it was turning into.
Prior to coming together as a hard rock band, Redhead Mack Band released a slew of folk-rock EP’s and singles, and the 2013 album Born On A Time Machine, with a title coming from a line to entice the listener to give the album a try.
After all, the band’s music aims to help people find their own voice and look after each other while working together.